Ian
Bond (May 8, 2003) - The World of the Dark Crystal is
a rather rare and expensive book, being as it went out of print soon after
it was released.

Now,
as the movie is celebrating it’s 20th anniversary, the book has
come back into production. It is the exact same release that Knopf printed
in 1982 except for a few additions including: new cover art, a page and
a half introduction by Brian Froud, and a small booklet in the back cover.

Let's start
with the little booklet. According to Brian Froud, it is the same booklet
that Jim Henson originally used to secure financial backing for the film.
It features early concept work by Brian Froud and some of the original
ideas that never made it into the movie. For example, the miners under
the castle eventually led to the hit series, Fraggle Rock.

The new introduction
by the film's conceptual artist, Brian Froud, takes the reader back into
Froud's past and his initial meeting with Jim Henson. He goes through
all the "fun" of working on such a remarkable project as The
Dark Crystal and communicating ideas to all the different design and production
teams. If you have seen the book, The
Making of the Dark Crystal, then this will definitely deepen your
understanding from Froud's perspective. The introduction also contains
a stunning photograph.

Lastly, the
dust jacket features a different, rather than new, piece of cover art.
It is merely the last picture of Kira and Jen, where Kira holds the shard
and Jen is playing his pipe.

All in all,
this book is a great addition for any fan of the film. There is nothing
missing from the original. Put that hard bound first edition on a display
case where it belongs, but after reading this new edition a few dozen
times, you better make some room on that display case for it, too.

Catherine
Drougas (May 10, 2003) - This is an incredible book. People
have been waiting decades for this book to come out again, and it is well
worth the wait.

The
artwork is breathtaking. Even the clerk at Waldenbooks who sold it to
me said, I can't believe a beautiful hardcover book like this is only
being sold for thirty dollars! Never a truer word was said. Although I
have only glimpsed at the original book in the library, I believe this
one is almost exactly like it.

If you are interested
in the concept drawings of Brian Froud and the creation of the The Dark
Crystal, this is a must have. An extra bonus is that there is a little
booklet inside of concept drawings and early development that is a must-read.

Fan site Muppet Central created by Phillip Chapman. Updates by Muppet
Central Staff. All Muppets, Bear characters are copyright
of The Muppets Studio. Sesame Street characters are copyright of Sesame
Workshop.
Fraggle Rock, Creature Shop and similar likenesses are copyright
of The Jim Henson Company.
Muppet Central is hosted by KnownHost.